Tag: Literature

Words… As you probably know, I started another blog on January 1 of this year – a year-long challenge of myself to write haiku and other related poetry and publish on the blog every day of 2012. Not sure, at all, why I endeavored into this commitment, but I did, and I am having so much fun learning to write minimally, to have “haiku mind”, and to connect with others all over the world.

“Haiku mind” is my segue to what I want to talk about here. To quote Patricia Donegan in her book, Haiku Mind, “Haiku, the Japanese form of poetry written in just three lines, can be miraculous in its power to articulate the profundity of the simplest moment.” Words are powerful, and more words do not necessarily create more power, we know that in theory, and we know that from traditions such as Haiku. I don’t know about you, but even though I know that in my head, my words run away from me sometimes. I was in discussion with someone recently, commenting on how many more followers I have on my haiku blog compared to what I have on this blog, and she quickly commented, “That is because people don’t want to take the time to read something so long, you lose them.” Ok, so, already I have written too much probably, right?

So I will end for now, there is much to be said…but this is what I know about words:

They speak for themselves

They are powerful

They are more powerful in fewer numbers

When I use too many, I am not confident in what I am saying, and am either trying to convince myself and/or you

Share this:

Like this:

This morning , after voting, I had to get my car serviced. Another task in the day. I arrived at the service center and of course there is a wait. There are five chairs and there are five people sitting in those chairs. The observant man behind the desk said, “Have a seat, we will be right with you.” I wasn’t in my cocky mood this morning, so I didn’t respond with, “And whose lap would you like me to sit on.” I smiled instead and walked away.

It was in the 40’s outside, but I headed out to find a step to have a seat. It is funny how you can convince yourself that 40 degrees is warm and that you love being out in the cold. Truth be told, it actually felt wonderfully good.

I am reading Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the writer within, by Natalie Goldberg (1986, 2005). I was reading about writing in different places, under different circumstances, with different people, and moving out of the “box” of writing for 60-minutes everyday as a task to be completed…the good girl/boy approach. What better place to walk the walk. I grabbed my pen and notebook…and began writing.

I don’t always know about what I am going to write. I don’t know what is going to come out either. But I did know that I had strong emotions today. Writing is much like an adventure and today was no differently. I have been practicing the art of surrendering in emotions…being ok with having multiple emotions; being ok in the emotions without judgment; normalizing and validating the feelings, and writing has become a part of that practice. And so, I took a few moments to breathe, to look around and be present with my senses, to surrender and lastly to invite…and the words began to flow. Haiku that is. Separation, aloneness, lost, disconnectedness poured forward in Haiku.

There I sat, on freezing cold cement, outside the auto service center, in the middle of a suburban neighborhood, looking at signs of life, Fall, leaves, beauty, writing about the aching pains of not feeling connected, learning the lessons from my own words…we are always connected, there is no separation, and I can rest in that knowing.

“Miss, your car is finished.” I returned in thought, put the pen and notebook away, and had a moment of gratitude for the solitude, the cold step, and the words. I always learn from my words.

I hope today that you can find such a sacred place. Don’t be surprised at where that place is and what that place inspires.

Related Articles

Share this:

Like this:

Happy New Year 2013! I was recently walking in the remnants of snow speckling the woods and the trail, and I came upon this “speck” of green moss. The contrast with the snow made the green so much more vibrant and beautiful and my spirit danced. Seeing contrast, color, uniquenesses, simplicity in the things around me […]

Happy New Year (Eve)… The last day of 2012. Wow! I did it. I posted every day of 2012 on this blog… I surprised myself. There is much ambivalence with this post…excitement for the accomplishment, sadness that the commitment is over, and yet joy in the continuing… I will see you soon…going to take a […]

I wrote two variations of this haiku. I thought I would share the other one with you. If you have thoughts or opinions and would like to share, I would love to hear your thoughts: reflections of blue under the cellophane tent our path journeys Tomorrow is the last day of 2012. I made a […]

I love snow. It is beautiful…a gift of coziness. A day of solitude, warm blanket, good book, lots of warmth, and an occasional cup of tea. Are you with me? If you were with me, though, it would be snowshoes, a snow creature, and a warm cup of hot chocolate. Both experiences are cherished. For […]

Today is the last of my holiday series – did you know I did a series? I did not either. It just seemed that way. I was out and about this morning and enjoying the winter chill. I am so grateful to live in an area where seasons change. As I type I sit and […]

I thought one more day of Christmas would be fun. Aren’t there 12 days of Christmas? Smile. I hope today you get to rest in the rememberings, if they were pleasing. If they were hard, I hope that you have a moment to rest in knowing this very minute all is new…a new start…a new […]

Merry Christmas day after. Happy Boxing Day. Happy today to all. I was having fun with a camera, speeds and settings when our family walked through Longwood Gardens at Thanksgiving. I loved the way this photo turned out – what doesn’t look perfect sometimes makes for fun outcomes…hmmm. Enjoy the day. Related articles A Longwood […]

Good day to each of you. I hope in whatever you do today, you live in the trueness of who you are, in peace, grace, and love. Keep it simple…this can be a very complicated time of year. I hope you find time to nurture and rest in you. If you get to doodle or […]

Sign Up To Receive E-Mails

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.